WASHINGTON -- Business travel is projected to increase 8% this
year, while leisure trips will rise 6%, according to study released
by Yesawich, Pepperdine & Brown (YP&B) and Yankelovich
Partners.
Overall, the 2002 National Travel Monitor indicates Sept. 11's
dampening effect on travel appears to be lifting, although concerns
about economy and the "hassle factor" associated with the new
airport security measures are deterring mostly business travelers.
The study, which gauges the intentions of travelers, also found
only 4% of leisure travelers said it was unsafe to fly.
"That is a remarkable change from the numbers we reported in
January, where that number was approaching [30% of] leisure
[travelers with] that anxiety," said Peter Yesawich, YP&B's
president at a press conference in Washington.
Nevertheless, business travelers ranked the hassle associated
with air travel as the third most important reason for taking fewer
trips this year, behind company travel reductions and fears about
the economy.
Leisure travelers ranked the air travel hassles fourth. The
economy, finances and lack of free time were the top reasons for
them not traveling.
The study showed travel agents were mostly neck and neck with
the Internet travel sites, in terms of the confidence business
travelers had in information sources.
Family and friends (73%) ranked first, followed by travel agents
(46%) and Web sites/online services (44%).
Leisure travelers also relied on family and friends first (84%),
guide books (55%), travel agent recommendations (50%) and Web sites
(46%).
The study found 36% of leisure travelers plan to take more trips
than last year, 39% plan to take the same as last year, and 25% are
planning fewer trips.
Generally, concern about the economy remains the main deterrent
to travel, Yesawich said.